Desperate Pastors' Wives

I was preparing a presentation for pastors' wives (I'm one too), when I found an interview on the internet with the authors of this book. Their responses prompted me to buy the book. I read it in two days because I couldn't put it down. In the over-the-top style of Desperate Housewives, the book addresses some of the very real problems of being a pastor's wife in a humorous way as it follows four wives and their various problems. Any pastor's wife will recognize the truth of husbands forgetting to tell their wives about meetings at the house, the phone ringing constantly, and the unrealistic expections of church members. This is a book I'll keep.

I just finished reading this book and was impressed. As a Pastor (Chaplain) wife, I found the stories to be relevant and touching. Although my husband is a military chaplain, the struggles are the same. I was pleasantly surprised at the issues that women many struggle with in this position. It was nice to see a group form to support one another, but it was better to see the love and compassion in supporting one another. They supported one another with wisdom and scripture. These ladies were able to be authentic with one another...feeling safe and transparent with each other and I loved that!!! The book was an easy and comforting read. I finished the book and passed it on to another Chaplain's wife. I can't wait until the next book comes out. I will definably add the second book to my collection. Thank you Christy and Ginger for writing our stories.

For more than two decades, we've traveled all over the world to speak at retreats and seminars for pastors and their spouses (yes, some pastors are women!). Earlier this year we were in central Europe (Bulgaria, Romania) speaking to pastors and spouses from that region. After listening to pastor's wives for 20 years, we can tell you that Ginger Kolbaba writes with accuracy and understanding about how many of these women think, feel, and react. Many pastors' wives work outside the home. Many are also busy raising young children. Many serve various roles in the church and congregation while doing all the above. Will everyone like this book? Maybe not --- but anyone can learn from it. If what you learn is how to love and appreciate the woman who lives in your parsonage (whether she's the pastor, or the pastor's wife) then this book is well worth reading. Ginger Kolbaba is an engaging writer, always interesting to read. Here she turns her attention to pastors' wives. It's time somebody did! Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie The Center for Marriage & Family Studies Authors of: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent

Four women, each from a different denomination, meet secretly, forty miles from their hometown for a monthly lunch. Here they can talk about the things they can't tell the people in their churches. After all, pastor's wives are expeceted to be pious, conservative, self-sacrificing, and available to take on the jobs no one else wants. Most of all, they are expected to be invisible. And heaven help them if they forget to smile and speak to every member of the congregation. These women need a break. They don't have close friends in their own churches, because pastor's wives can't play favorites, so the monthly luncheons are an island of sanity for them. In addition, they have personal problems they share with each other. Jennifer is desperate to have a baby. Felicia thinks another woman is after her husband. Lisa's husband is married to his church, with no time for her, and Mimi is trying to prove her worth by being everything to everyone. The women use some very unorthodox methods to solve their problems, proving that God really does move in mysterious ways. In Desperate Pastor's Wives, Ginger Kolbaba and Christy Scannel have woven humor and faith into an engaging story, one I really enjoyed. The next time you go to church, give your pastor's wife a hug and tell her how much you appreciate her. Be prepared to catch her if she keels over in shock, but when she recovers she'll thank you.

Not even pastors' wives are perfect. But for Jennifer, Mimi, Lisa and Felicia--it sure feels like they are expected to be. So when they start meeting in secret at Lulu's Cafe forty miles from town to share in each other's lives, you might expect "a little desperation." Jennifer is desperate for a baby, the only thing she ever asks God for and His apparent "no" leaves her desperate for faith. Mimi is successful at everything she puts her hands to, but outward perfection leaves her desperate for inward peace. Lisa has taken the backseat to her husband's ministry and is desperate for love. And Felicia never signed up to be the dutiful pastor's wife, but her husband's church thinks they got a two-for-one. Juggling church, family and career leaves her desperate for fulfillment. I positively burned through this book because it was so enjoyable. I think most women feel like their lives are on display for the world to criticize, but few like pastors' wives, where a sink full of dirty dishes is more than homemaking ability, but possibly a spiritual failing. Whether you are a pastor's wife, know one (or three), or just a disillusioned woman, you will find something to enjoy about this book. I could relate to many of the feelings expressed by each woman. I could relate to knowing (and dodging) the "villain" perfect pastor's wife and her catty antics. And though I can't relate to being a pastor's wife, it gave me even more insight into their lives in the fishbowl...which seem to be mine multiplied. Armchair Interview says: Grab this book; you'll be glad you did.